In October, a graduate of Moscow Olympic College No. 1, Arthur Beterbiev, who trained with the honored trainer of Russia Vagif Shirinov, became the WBC world champion. In the title fight, which took place in Philadelphia, he defeated the Ukrainian Alexander Gvozdik in the 10th round by technical knockout. Be- terbiev became the fifth Russian boxer in history, who managed to combine the titles. The athlete also owns an IBF belt. We talked with Arthur about the duel of views, psychological preparation for the fight and critical comments by Vasily Lo- machenko.
– You are in Moscow now. How do you spend your time?
– This is the pleasant part of my job – I come home, give interviews, meet friends, fans. Home, sweet home.
– Without training so far?
– I train every other day. My coach told me to rest more. Now there is no aim to be at the peak of form. The most import- ant thing is that by the next start I will recover well, and there will be a desire to enter the boxing ring again.
– 10 years after the fight among amateurs, you met with Alexander
Gvozdik in a professional boxing ring. The two undefeated world champions make impressing billboards. Did you feel the tension pumped up by the pro- moters before the fight?
– I’ve heard an expression: «To defeat for the second time the person you won once in your life is twice as difficult. ” The opponent has fear of losing again, and he is more seriously attuned to the fight, he has more motivation. I did the same and tuned to the fight with maximum moti- vation. I deceived everyone and myself (laughs).
– What did you see in the eyes of the opponent during the weigh-in?
– Many told me that he lost the duel of views. But I did not focus on this. Maybe this is such a tactic, and he wanted to pre- tend to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
– Do you usually watch silently?
– Usually yes, but if the opponent provokes me, I answer. Once in America there was a fight with Alexander Johnson. During the press conference he says: «I
am Alexander the Great and came here to win.» I take a microphone and answer: “If you are Alexander the Great, then I am King Arthur and I also came to win.” The whole audience laughed, and after a pause I added: “As for King Arthur, this is a joke, but as for victory, this is true.”
– How was the fight for you?
– I can say that it was according to the scenario. We had several action plans. It was important for us what Gvozdik would offer, what he would start with. There was a plan to gently start with a jab from the first round, from the first hand, to keep him busy so that he would not have time to think about anything. I tried to follow the instructions from my angle. It is al- ways easier to do so than to invent some- thing yourself.
– There were some not quite clear refereeing decisions. Three times Alex- ander fell, but the score was not open.
– There are questions to the referees. We will return to this question when I fly to Canada.
4/2019
OLYMPIC RESERVE
11
SPORTS IN PERSON
– They say that in the referee’s notes, Gvozdik was given more points. How can this be, you were in the lead, weren’t you?
– I was shocked when I found it out. But if you win ahead of time, and they raise your hand, then after that you don’t think of it any more.
– Vasily Lomachenko said that it was not you who won the fight, but it was Gvozdik who lost. Did you feel offend- ed to hear that?
– (Laughs.) I didn’t even hear him say that. Boxers are interesting people, some- times they say nonsense. He is a good boxer, I guess. Doctors are not offended by their patients. Anyway, they are some- how trying to help them. So I will not be offended by the boxer.
– You became the fifth Russian box- er who managed to combine the titles in different versions. Did you immedi- ately realize what you had done?
– Of course not. I just found out about this from you. I am pleased to know that, but I did not pursue it.
– When, after the triumph, you ar- rived at Domodedovo Airport and saw how many people were meeting you, what emotions did you have?
– When I was going to fly to Moscow, I told only three people, and it was nice to
see so many people at the airport. It’s nice that they came from the Moscow College of Olympic Reserve No1 to support me. The college gave me a lot – discipline, ed- ucation. I grew up in the Caucasus, in a so- ciety with different mentality. During the time spent in Moscow, much has been transformed for me in a positive way. In Moscow Olympic College, I somehow started studying and training better. I re- member that if we talked on the phone at night – they took it away. If you were caught twice, there could be a reprimand. This is not a dictatorship, these are just hints for the athlete to understand what he is doing wrong.
Arthur Beterbiev – 34 years old, was born in Khasavyurt (Dagestan). World champion, two-time European champion. Professional career – IBF and WBC world light heavyweight champion. Undefeated Champion – 15 KO wins in 15 fights. Nick- name: White Puncher, Wolf.
“THERE WERE COURTS, AND WHEN I JUST STEPPED INTO THE BOXING RING,
I REALIZED THAT I HAD A CHAMPION FIGHT”
– Your main rewards. How much does the last belt you have won weigh? – Honestly, I don’t know. This is a green belt – it is considered prestigious in the WBC (holds in hands). In fact, both green
and red are my colors.
– Does this belt turn out to be a chal- lenge award, or will it remain with you? – My belt remains with me. For exam- ple, Gvozdik lost the fight and lost the sta- tus. He will have the old belt as a memory, and another belt is being prepared for the
new champion.
– But this belt is a little different (we turn to the belt according to IBF).
– Yes, there is a bird and gloves on it. Interesting one. This is my first trophy. I like it better. This belt has very strict rules. At IBF, on the second day after weighing, you cannot be heavier than 5 kg. This version requires you to defend the title every year.
– Which of these belts did you get the hardest?
– This one (points to red). I was involved in two trials – with a promoter and man- ager. I had to fire them, they did not hold to the terms of the contract. When I just stepped into the boxing ring, I realized that a champion fight began.
– Where do you store the belts in your apartment?
– As you enter my home, they are in the hallway. When someone comes to my place, he immediately understands where he is. Everyone can offend a box- er, but not everyone has time to apolo- gize (smiles).
You will see the big interview with Arthur Beterbiev in the next issue: about the tragedy of Maxim Dadashev, the re-
gime of the day, and why he does not want to give his son to boxing.